Building permits in April surpass last year

Boosted by a $54.5 million permit for Avera on Louise, the city’s building activity pulled ahead of last year through April.

Permits totaled $224.9 million, compared with $209.3 million for the first four months of 2017. That’s behind the $255.3 million in permits issued during the same time in 2016.

New residential construction at $58.9 million is about $9 million behind last year. Permits have been issued for 204 single-family homes, compared with 242 for the same time last year.

Multifamily construction also is behind, with permits issued for 272 units compared with 376 last year.

New commercial construction at $108.9 million is ahead of last year’s $97.5 million.

Other major projects that received permits in April include the Levitt Shell at Falls Park West at $3.8 million, an AmericInn hotel at 3300 W. Russell St. at $3.2 million and a house for $1 million at 5001 E. Imani Ridge Place.